Teacher charged with historical sex offences

A teacher who was recently the subject of a police missing person appeal has been charged with historical sex offences, it has emerged.

Stuart McCulloch, 56, a former teacher at the independent Snaresbrook Preparatory School in Woodford Road, was traced to Eastbourne on Friday and arrested after being reported missing a month earlier.

He has been charged with indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16, two counts of gross indecency on a boy under the age of 16 and indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14.

The offences are said to have taken place between 2000 and 2004 and relate to one victim.

McCulloch was charged on February 15, two days before he went missing.

Snaresbrook Prep. School Headteacher Chris Curl today confirmed that Mr McCulloch was no longer employed by the school and the alleged offences do not relate to pupils there.

Mr Curl said: “We are advised by the Police that Stuart McCulloch, a former teacher at Snaresbrook Prep School has been found, arrested and detained pending a court appearance in May 2014 to face charges of gross indecency and indecent assault.

“It is important to note that the charges faced by Mr McCulloch relate to alleged historical incidents and that the police have concluded their investigations and confirmed that there is no need for any further investigation in relation to the school, its staff or pupils.

“There are no allegations or charges whatsoever in relation to Mr McCulloch's role as a teacher at Snaresbrook Prep School.

“Neither the School nor the staff were aware of any issue relating to the charges before or while Mr McCulloch was employed by the school and all relevant checks were undertaken in relation to his appointment."

Mr McCulloch will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on May 12.